Electronic garment with haptic feedback

ABSTRACT

System includes a haptic garment comprising an integrated circuit (IC) controller coupled to the haptic garment. A sensing circuit configured to cause to transmit a motion signal sensed by a portion of the haptic garment surface to the IC controller is provided. The motion signal is based on one or more of a touch pattern, a gesture pattern, and a movement pattern associated with a user of the haptic garment. The IC controller is configured to transmit a first data associated with the motion signal to an external device. Conductive traces embedded in the haptic garment that electrically couple with the sensing circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/860,378, filed Apr. 28, 2020, which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US18/59138, filed on Nov. 5,2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/582,762 filed on Nov. 7, 2017, the entire contents of which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic garment with electroniccircuitry, and particularly to a haptic garment configured for two-waycommunication with a user of the haptic garment through electroniccircuitry and sensors coupled to the haptic garment.

BACKGROUND

An individual involved in an activity such as bicycle riding, bikeriding, scooter riding, or car racing, for example, may be required tostay focused on the task while in motion and therefore be unable to sendor receive information that needs to be timely communicated to/from bythe individual that is focused on the activity. For example, a bicyclistmay want to get an idea of the traffic condition behind or in front ofthe bicyclist, but may not be able to do so in a safe manner due to theneed to take eyes off the road in order to turn the head to assess thetraffic conditions; however, such an action has the potential to renderthe bicycle unstable or to otherwise present a potential safety hazard.Similarly, the bicyclist may want to start playing a music file on amobile device such as a cell phone while the bicycle is in motion;however, attempting to access and/or operate the mobile device while thebicycle in motion may present a safety hazard.

Accordingly, a need exists for improved communication capabilitieswhereby a bicyclist is able to perform the above mentioned and similarother tasks in a safe manner while the bicycle is being operated by thebicyclist.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts thatare further described in the following detailed descriptions. Thissummary is not intended to identify key features or essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting thescope of the claimed subject matter.

Disclosed herein is a system comprising a haptic garment comprising anintegrated circuit (IC) controller coupled to the haptic garment; asensing circuit configured to cause to transmit a motion signal sensedby a portion of the haptic garment surface to the IC controller, themotion signal based on one or more of a touch pattern, a gesturepattern, and a movement pattern associated with a user of the hapticgarment, the IC controller configured to transmit a first dataassociated with the motion signal to an external device; and conductivetraces embedded in or fastened to the haptic garment that electricallycouple with the sensing circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises theIC controller configured to receive a second data associated with animage signal from the external device; and a display circuit configuredto cause to display an image on a electro-luminescent (EL) displaycoupled to a portion of the haptic garment surface based on the imagesignal received from the IC controller, wherein the conductive tracesfurther electrically couple with the display circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises theIC controller configured to receive a third data associated with anactuator signal from the external device; and an actuator circuitconfigured to cause to transmit an actuator output to the portion of thehaptic garment surface that is in sensory contact with a skin surface ofthe user of the haptic garment based on the actuator signal receivedfrom the IC controller, the actuator output comprising one or more of atactile output and an acoustic output, wherein the conductive tracesfurther electrically couple with the actuator circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the IC controller is configured tomultiplex across a switching cycle comprising: a sense phase forreceiving the motion signal via the sensing circuit, a display phase fortransmitting the image signal via the display circuit, and an actuatorphase for transmitting the actuator signal via the actuator circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive traces areconfigured to perform one or more of: display the image based on theimage signal received from the IC controller, transmit the actuatoroutput based on the actuator signal received from the IC controller, andcapture one or more of: the touch pattern, the gesture pattern, and themovement pattern associated with the user of the haptic garment togenerate the motion signal for transmission to the IC controller.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive traces are embeddedin the haptic garment by one or more of: weaving, knitting, gluing,stitching, attaching by Velcro, mechanically fastening and printing onthe haptic garment.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is alphanumeric textrelated to one or more of a telephone call and a text message receivedat the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the third data is associated witha program operating on an internal memory coupled to the IC controller.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is based on a multimediafile located on the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is one or more touchcontrols configured for operating a multimedia file located on theexternal device.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is indicative of trafficcondition contiguous to the user of the haptic garment, the image basedon traffic data received by the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is related to a drivingdirection or a driving area map received from the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the image is based on a cameraimage, a proximity sensor, or a video image captured by the externaldevice.

According to one or more embodiments, the system is configured toconvert the motion signal received by the IC controller into a specificoperating instruction for an application executing on the externaldevice.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive traces comprise acapacitor array incorporated therein for capturing the touch pattern inthe form of one or more capacitance values.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive traces comprises aresistor array incorporated therein for capturing one or more of thegesture pattern and the movement pattern in the form of one or moreresistance values.

According to one or more embodiments, the IC controller is configured tocommunicate wirelessly with the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the IC controller is configured tocommunicate with the external device via a wired connection.

According to one or more embodiments, the acoustic output comprises oneor more of: an electrodynamic acoustic output and an electrostaticacoustic output.

According to one or more embodiments, the tactile output comprises oneor more of: a vibration output, a thermochromic visual output, anelectro-tactile output and a heat-tactile output.

According to one or more embodiments, the sensing circuit is furtherconfigured to cause to sense a repetitive body motion associated with anexercise routine, the IC controller is further configured to generatefor display a count associated with the repetitive body motion, and thedisplay circuit is further configured to cause to display the count asthe image on the printed EL display.

According to one or more embodiments, the EL display divided into aplurality of separately illuminable regions, wherein the display circuitis configured to cause to illuminate one or more of the separatelyilluminable regions based on the image signal received from the ICcontroller.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises atouch sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) screen embedded in thehaptic garment, wherein the LCD screen is configured to: display theimage based on the image signal received from the IC controller,transmit the actuator output based on the actuator signal received fromthe IC controller, and capture the touch pattern to generate the motionsignal for transmission to the IC controller.

According to one or more embodiments, devices coupled to the conductivetraces are configured to perform one or more of: display the image basedon the image signal received from the IC controller, transmit theactuator output based on the actuator signal received from the ICcontroller, and capture one or more of: the touch pattern, the gesturepattern, and the movement pattern associated with the user of the hapticgarment to generate the motion signal for transmission to the ICcontroller.

According to one or more embodiments, one or more of the sensingcircuit, the display circuit and the actuator circuit are imprinted onthe haptic garment using one or more of: painting, extrusion printing,inkjet printing, screen printing, and lithography printing techniques.

According to one or more embodiments, the haptic garment is formed of adeformable substrate or a nonwoven material.

Disclosed herein is a system comprising a haptic fabric comprising anintegrated circuit (IC) controller coupled to the haptic fabric; asensing circuit configured to cause to transmit a motion signal sensedby a portion of the haptic fabric surface to the IC controller, themotion signal based on one or more of a touch pattern, a gesturepattern, and a movement pattern associated with a user of the hapticfabric, the IC controller configured to transmit a first data associatedwith the motion signal to an external device; and conductive tracesembedded in or fastened to the haptic fabric that electrically couplewith the sensing circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises theIC controller configured to receive a second data associated with animage signal from the external device; and a display circuit configuredto cause to display an image on a printed electro-luminescent (EL)display attached to a portion of the fabric surface based on the imagesignal received from the IC controller, wherein the conductive tracesfurther electrically couple with the display circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises theIC controller configured to receive a third data associated with anactuator signal from the external device; and an actuator circuitconfigured to cause to transmit an actuator output to the portion of thehaptic fabric surface that is in sensory contact with a skin surface ofa user of the haptic fabric based on the actuator signal received fromthe IC controller, the actuator output comprising one or more of atactile output and an acoustic output, wherein the conductive tracesfurther electrically couple with the actuator circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the system further comprises theIC controller is configured to multiplex across a switching cyclecomprising: a sense phase for receiving the motion signal via thesensing circuit, a display phase for transmitting the image signal viathe display circuit, and an actuator phase for transmitting the actuatorsignal via the actuator circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the haptic fabric is formed of adeformable substrate or a nonwoven material.

Disclosed herein is a method of signaling embedded within a hapticgarment, the method comprising receiving, by an integrated circuit (IC)controller coupled to the haptic garment, a first data associated with amotion signal from a sensing circuit, the sensing circuit causing thetransmission of the motion signal sensed by a portion of the hapticgarment surface to the IC controller, the motion signal based on one ormore of a touch pattern, a gesture pattern, and a movement patternassociated with a user of the haptic garment; and transmitting, by theIC controller, of a first data associated with the motion signal to anexternal device, wherein conductive traces embedded in or fastened tothe haptic garment electrically couple with the sensing circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theIC controller receiving a second data associated with an image signalfrom the external device; and a display circuit causing to display animage on a electro-luminescent (EL) display attached to a portion of thehaptic garment surface based on the image signal received from the ICcontroller, wherein the conductive traces further electrically couplewith the display circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theIC controller receiving a third data associated with an actuator signalfrom the external device; and an actuator circuit causing to transmit anactuator output to the portion of the haptic garment surface that is insensory contact with a skin surface of the user of the haptic garmentbased on the actuator signal received from the IC controller, theactuator output comprising one or more of a tactile output and anacoustic output, wherein the conductive traces further electricallycouple with the actuator circuit.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theIC controller multiplexing across a switching cycle comprising:receiving the motion signal via the sensing circuit during a sensephase, transmitting the image signal via the display circuit during adisplay phase, transmitting the actuator signal via the actuator circuitduring an actuator phase.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theconductive traces performing one or more of: displaying the image basedon the image signal received from the IC controller, transmitting theactuator output based on the actuator signal received from the ICcontroller, and capturing one or more of: the touch pattern, the gesturepattern, and the movement pattern associated with the user of the hapticgarment to generate the motion signal and transmitting the motion signalto the IC controller.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdisplaying the image as alphanumeric text related to one or more of: atelephone call received at the external device, and a text messagereceived at the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdisplaying the image based on a multimedia file located on the externaldevice.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdisplaying the image as one or more touch controls for operating amultimedia file located on the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdisplaying the image indicative of traffic condition contiguous to theuser of the haptic garment, the image based on traffic data received bythe external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theimage related to a driving direction or a driving area map received fromthe external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdisplaying the image based on a camera image or a video image capturedby the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesconverting the motion signal received by the IC controller into aspecific operating instruction for an application executing on theexternal device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisescapturing the touch pattern in the form of one or more capacitancevalues by the conductive traces, wherein the conductive traces comprisea capacitor array incorporated therein.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisescapturing one or more of the gesture pattern and the movement pattern inthe form of one or more resistance values by the conductive traces,wherein the conductive traces comprise a resistor array incorporatedtherein.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theIC controller communicating wirelessly with the external device.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises theIC controller communicating with the external device via a wiredconnection.

According to one or more embodiments, the acoustic output comprises oneor more of: an electrodynamic acoustic output and an electrostaticacoustic output.

According to one or more embodiments, the tactile output comprises oneor more of: a vibration output, a thermochromic visual output, anelectro-tactile output and a heat-tactile output.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises thesensing circuit causing the sensing of a repetitive body motionassociated with an exercise routine, the IC controller generating fordisplay a count associated with the repetitive body motion, and thedisplay circuit causing the displaying of the count as the image on theprinted EL display.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdividing the EL display into a plurality of separately illuminableregions, the display circuit causing the illumination of one or more ofthe separately illuminable regions based on the image signal receivedfrom the IC controller.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprises atouch sensitive LCD screen embedded in the haptic garment performingeach of: displaying the image based on the image signal received fromthe IC controller; transmitting the actuator output based on theactuator signal received from the IC controller; and capturing the touchpattern to generate the motion signal for transmission to the ICcontroller.

According to one or more embodiments, the printed electro-luminescent(EL) display comprises a light emitting diode (LED) matrix.

According to one or more embodiments, the haptic garment includes aninner layer.

According to one or more embodiments, the haptic garment is formed of adeformable substrate or a nonwoven material.

According to one or more embodiments, the method further comprisesdevices coupled to the conductive traces performing one or more of of:displaying the image based on the image signal received from the ICcontroller, transmitting the actuator output based on the actuatorsignal received from the IC controller, and capturing one or more of:the touch pattern, the gesture pattern, and the movement patternassociated with the user of the haptic garment to generate the motionsignal and transmitting the motion signal to the IC controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing, as well as the following Detailed Description ofpreferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there isshown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presentlydisclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated, described, and discussed herein areillustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of thepresent invention are described with reference to illustrations, variousmodifications or adaptations of the methods and or specific structuresdescribed may become apparent to those skilled in the art. It will beappreciated that modifications and variations are covered by the aboveteachings and within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit and intended scope thereof. All such modifications,adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the presentinvention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, areconsidered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in alimiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in noway limited to only the embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a back view of a systemincluding a haptic garment according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a front view of the systemaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of conductive traces coupledwithin a sleeve of the haptic garment according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of devices formed at an end ofa conductive trace coupled to the haptic garment according to one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a front view of an innerlayer of the haptic garment when worn by a user according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a back view of the innerlayer of the haptic garment when worn by a user according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a front view of the innerlayer of the haptic garment when not worn by a user according to one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a back view of the innerlayer of the haptic garment when not worn by a user according to one ormore embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an integrated circuit (IC)controller being detached from the inner layer of the haptic garmentaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system overview illustrating theintegrated circuit (IC) controller receiving wireless signals from anexternal device to interface with ends of conductive traces embedded inthe haptic garment according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a system overview illustrating the ICcontroller and various components including devices, circuits andinterlayers coupled to the haptic garment according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a circuit including the IC controlleraccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of the IC controllerprocessing a touch input sensed by a capacitive sensor according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of the IC controllerprocessing a bending movement sensed by a resistive sensor according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of the IC controllerprocessing a movement pattern sensed by a resistive sensor according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Below, the technical solutions in the examples of the present inventionare depicted clearly and comprehensively with reference to the figuresaccording to the examples of the present invention. Obviously, theexamples depicted here are merely some examples, but not all examples ofthe present invention. In general, the components in the examples of thepresent invention depicted and shown in the figures herein can bearranged and designed according to different configurations. Thus,detailed description of the examples of the present invention providedin the figures below are not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention as claimed, but merely represent selected examples of thepresent invention. On the basis of the examples of the presentinvention, all of other examples that could be obtained by a personskilled in the art without using inventive efforts will fall within thescope of protection of the present invention. The present invention willbe further described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

The present invention relates to a haptic garment, and particularly to ahaptic garment capable of two-way communication with a user of thehaptic garment through electronic circuitry, devices and sensorsprovided on the electronic garment. As used herein, the term “garment”refers to an item or combination of items worn or carried by a person oran animal including one or more of the following: top, bottom,undergarment, harness, accessory such as gloves, gauntlet, anklet,bracelet, belt, fanny pack, purse, backpack, apron, and similar otheritems, headwear such as headband, full or partial balaclava, hat,helmet, and similar other items, or footwear such as socks, shoes,boots, and similar other items. The term “haptic garment” additionallyrefers to any haptic fabric capable of two-way communication with a userof the haptic fabric through electronic circuitry and sensors providedon the haptic fabric; a haptic fabric includes any woven, knit, ornonwoven fabric, and is made of any material, natural or synthetic. Inone embodiment, the haptic fabric is formed of a material that is atleast partially electrically conductive. The term “haptic garment”further refers to any flexible haptic membrane such as, for example, ahaptic shower curtain, that is capable of two-way communication with auser of the flexible haptic membrane through electronic circuitry andsensors provided on the flexible haptic membrane. In one embodiment, thedeformable includes, but is not limited to vacuforming, self-foldingprints, extrusion prints, and mold making. While the invention will bedescribed with reference to wearable electronic clothing configured tobe worn by a bicyclist riding a bicycle, the techniques explained hereinare applicable to all other forms of haptic garment as defined hereinincluding a haptic fabric and a flexible haptic membrane. For example,the haptic garment can have applications as electronic clothing worn bya race car driver, a motorcycle rider, or in similar other applicationswherein a garment capable of providing two-way communications between auser and an electronic device may be desirable. In one embodiment, thehaptic garment as described herein may be applied to a seat cover on anenhanced video-gaming chair or a movie theatre chair to improve thevideo-gaming or movie watching experience. In one embodiment, the wholeof the haptic garment is in the form of a harness. In anotherembodiment, more than one haptic garment can be worn by the user at thesame time.

The haptic garment as described herein may be safety washed in a washingmachine without damaging the circuitry or electronic componentsintegrated therein. Further, each standalone haptic garment isadvantageously provided with its own dedicated integrated circuit (IC)controller configured to interact with one or more of a sensing circuit,a display circuit, a actuator circuit, and other devices coupled to, orintegrated within, the haptic garment. In some embodiments, one or morecomponents including circuits, conductive traces and devices may beintegrated within the haptic garment by imprinting them onto the hapticgarment by screen printing techniques. In some embodiments, one or morecomponents including circuits, conductive traces and devices may becoupled to, or integrated within, the haptic garment by gluing orsimilar other techniques. In some embodiments, one or more componentsincluding circuits, conductive traces and devices may be embedded withininterlayers or inner layers of the haptic garment. Haptic feedbackprovided by devices embedded in the haptic garment advantageouslyinclude heat-producing circuits and devices, sound-producing circuitsand devices, image producing circuits and devices, light producingcircuits and devices, vibration stimulation circuits and devices, andsimilar other circuits and devices coupled to, embedded within, orimprinted onto, or otherwise integrated in some manner with the hapticgarment.

The present invention includes a system including a haptic garment, thesystem capable of registering a user's interaction through electroniccircuits present on the haptic garment, the system further capable ofdisplaying imagery information to the user or user of the hapticgarment, and providing haptic feedback via printed circuitry to anexternal device in communication with the system. The inventionadvantageously includes flexible circuits and conductive tracesintegrated within the haptic garment, the flexibility resulting fromscreen printing or extrusion printing techniques. The circuits assist incarrying out tasks such as, for example, controlling of music playbackwhile riding a bicycle by the bicyclist interacting with the integratedtraces. The system is further configured for sending user interactiondata to an external device; the system further facilitates visualdisplay of data and images received from an external device on a surfaceof the haptic garment for the bicyclist's view. The system is furtherconfigured to advantageously send user interaction data to an externaldevice. The system further provides for devices that provide avisio-gestural based interface for controlling music or notifications onan external device.

The haptic garment may include flexible and illuminative circuitsprinted onto a cloth dielectric to provide a textile-based userinterface for computer interaction. In one embodiment, a user of thehaptic garment may be able to control operations on the user's or user'sphone or computer by gesturing on the printed circuitry of the hapticgarment. The IC controller integrated within the haptic garment is ableto interpret the intent of the user based on pattern recognition of theuser's actions via devices embedded in or attached to the ends ofconductive traces on the haptic garment. In one embodiment, a biker maybe able to control music playback while the bike is in motion withoutbreaking concentration from the road.

In one embodiment, the output of the haptic garment includes visual andtactile outputs. An electroluminescent (EL) printed circuit displaysinformation to the user of the haptic garment. The EL display device mayinclude a conductive screen printed design of multiple illuminativesegments of a material. Multiple EL segments may advantageouslyilluminate together to indicate a communication to the user. In oneembodiment, the user's phone or computer may provide a wireless signalto the IC controller; the IC controller coupled to haptic garment mayreceive the information, and illuminate segments in the circuit asspecified in the signal received by the IC controller to provideinformation to the user. In one embodiment, the information providedfrom the phone or computer to the microcontroller further results in theIC controller generating a haptic response delivered by devices attachedto the ends of the conductive traces on the haptic garment. This mayadvantageously provide notifications to the wearer or user when thewearer or user is not looking at the display on the external device. Inone embodiment, the ends of (or the devices attached to the ends of) theconductive traces printed on the inside of the garment provide a lowcurrent, and variable voltage and variable frequency AC signal to theuser's skin to communicate such notifications. A mild electricalstimulation delivered by the devices attached to conductive traces onthe haptic garment may be customized to reflect the user's preferences.In one embodiment, the devices at the conductive trace ends includecapacitive touch sensors capable of recognizing patterns based on theuser touching an outer surface of the haptic garment. The devices at theends of the printed conductive traces may also advantageously measurevital signs of the user, such as heart rate.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the system 100 comprises an integrated circuit(IC) controller 14 coupled to the haptic garment 8. The system 100further includes a sensing circuit coupled to or embedded in orintegrated within the haptic garment 8 configured to cause to transmit amotion signal sensed by a portion of the haptic garment surface to theIC controller. In various embodiments, the motion signal may be based onone or more of a touch pattern, a gesture pattern, and a movementpattern associated with a user of the haptic garment. In variousembodiments, the haptic garment 8 includes one or more inner layers. Inone embodiment, one of the inner layers represents a harness asillustrated in FIGS. 5-8 . In one embodiment, haptic garment 8 includesan inner layer 300 such as a harness coupled to or integrated within agarment layer. “Inner layer” and “inner layer 300” may interchangeablybe referred to herein as “harness” or as “harness 300”. In oneembodiment, various devices 25 are formed into or embedded within theinner layer 300. In some embodiments, a portion of inner layer 300itself may form one or more devices 25.

The garment 8 further includes conductive traces 10, 12, 18, 24 embeddedin the haptic garment that electrically couple with a sensing circuit, adisplay circuit, and an actuator circuit. In the Figures, conductivetrace contacting elbow region of the user of the haptic garment isdesignated the numeral 10, conductive trace contacting other parts ofbody is designated the numeral 12, and conductive trace contacting backof hand is designated the numeral 18; additionally, the conductive traceis generically assigned numeral 24 as shown in FIG. 10 , whichillustrates a generic conductive trace 24 with a device 25 formed at theend of generic conductive trace 24. In some embodiments, a portion ofthe conductive trace itself may form one or more devices 25.

The process of producing haptic garment 8 involves a pattern being cutout from pieces of a flexible material, the pattern corresponding to theshape and size of the haptic garment to be formed. After eachinner/outer layer is fabricated on or within the haptic garment, acuring process takes place. In one embodiment, a dielectric such as alayer of elastomeric urethane or layer of elastomeric silicone isprinted on those cut pieces of fabric or on the haptic garment itself.In one embodiment, the elastomeric urethane is Nazdar® Urethane and theelastomeric silicone is EcoFlex® silicone.

A conventional garment includes a high range of flexibility wherebyconductive traces may disintegrate or detach, causing short circuits orlost connection. However, in the flexible material as described herein,such negative effects are minimized or eliminated by the materials usedas well as the techniques used to attach or intergrade variouscomponents within the haptic garment 8. As an illustrative example,inventors use an elastomeric ink such as Nazdar®, for example, to holdmaterial in place and to minimize damage during washing; in anotherillustrative example, inventors use a silicone ink based on EcoFlex®silicone to hold material in place and to minimize damage duringwashing. In one embodiment, a further layer of silver nanoparticle isprinted onto the haptic garment or the fabric. A further layer ofelastomeric urethane is ink then printed thereon to insulate the skin indesired areas. Each of the devices and circuits and other neededhardware may be manufactured in this manner. In one embodiment, theprefabricated device such as a sensor or actuator as well as thecircuits may be stitched onto the haptic garment with conductive thread,inline with the printed conductive traces. In one embodiment, thecircuits may be attached by mechanical fastening means. In anotherembodiment, the circuits may be glued to the haptic garment. In oneembodiment, the visual display device may be fabricated in a secondprocess after the above steps are completed. The second process mayinclude printing of a layer of silver nanoparticle ink to connect to thetraces in process one. A layer of elastomeric urethane may be printed onthat layer to create a dielectric. An electroluminescent phosphor inkmay then be printed on the layer of elastomeric urethane A layer oftransparent conductive ink is then printed on the layer of phosphor. Asilver nanoparticle lead is then printed connecting the transparentconductive layer with the controller circuit. A layer of elastomericurethane is then printed on top of the transparent conductive toencapsulate the electronic material, the devices and circuits as needed.Each process may be applied to just one side of the fabric or to bothsides of the fabric with substrate through-holes to electrically connectthe proper areas.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive traces 24 as wellas the devices 25, the circuits and any other needed hardware may beattached to or coupled to the haptic garment 8 using one or more of thefollowing techniques: weaving, knitting, gluing, stitching, attaching byVelcro®, snapping, mechanical fastening, and printing on the hapticgarment 8. In one embodiment, mechanical fastening means include tinyscrews, rivets, snapping mechanisms, and similar other mechanicalfastening means. The printing techniques include extrusion printing,inkjet printing, screen printing, roll-to-roll printing, 3D printing,and lithography printing.

According to one embodiment, the devices 25 formed at the end of genericconductive trace 24 include circuitry and hardware that allow performingof functions such as displaying an image based on the image signalreceived from the IC controller 14, transmitting an actuator outputbased on the actuator signal received from the IC controller 14, andcapture a touch pattern, a gesture pattern, and/or a movement patternassociated with the user of the haptic garment 8 to generate the motionsignal for transmission to the IC controller 14. According to oneembodiment, the devices 25 represent prefabricated sensors that arelater on attached to the haptic garment 8, rather than being fabricatedright on the haptic garment 8. Accordingly, in various embodiments, thedevices 25 perform the functions of displaying the image based on theimage signal received from the IC controller, transmitting the actuatoroutput based on the actuator signal received from the IC controller, andcapturing one or more of: the touch pattern, the gesture pattern, andthe movement pattern associated with the user of the haptic garment togenerate the motion signal and transmitting the motion signal to the ICcontroller.

FIG. 4 illustrates several interlayers 200 associated with devices 25formed at the ends of the conductive trace 24. Devices 25 are attachedto, or embedded within, or embedded on, the haptic garment 8. In oneembodiment, device 25 formed at the end of generic conductive trace 24(see FIG. 4 ) provide the circuitry, devices and other required hardwarefor performing the above mentioned functions. In another embodiment, aportion of the inner layers of haptic garment 8 (that are electricallycoupled to ends of conductive traces 24) themselves represent devices 25that provide the circuitry, devices and other required hardware forperforming the above mentioned functions. In such an embodiment, devices25 are formed by a portion of the inner layer(s) of the haptic garment8, the devices being in electronic communication with IC controller 14through conductive traces 24. In one embodiment, the devices 25 at theend of the conductive traces 24 are attached to the haptic garment 8 byone or more of the following techniques: weaving, knitting, gluing,stitching, attaching by Velcro©, mechanically fastening and printing onthe haptic garment.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, interlayer A is a first printedelectronic sensor, interlayer B is a first dielectric interlayer,interlayer C is a second printed electronic sensor, interlayer D isvisual display interlayer (e.g., an electro-luminescent or EL displayinterlayer), interlayer E is a second dielectric interlayer, andinterlayer F is a third printed electronic sensor. All of theinterlayers may be stacked one on top of the other in the manner shownin FIG. 4 .

In various embodiments, interlayer A may be formed of a conductive inklayer of ink, insulated and may be capable of providing stimulation tothe user's skin. Silver, copper nanoparticle ink may be used in forminginterlayer A. In one embodiment, interlayer B may represent a dielectriccloth and dielectric coating layer; it may be formed of a polymer ink inone embodiment. In one embodiment, interlayer C may be formed of aconductive ink layer of ink with interlayer C facilitating theillumination of a phosphor material incorporated in interlayer D. In oneembodiment, interlayer C may additionally be capable of registeringcapacitive touch and user input in one embodiment. In one embodiment,interlayer C may be formed of silver or copper nanoparticle ink. In oneembodiment, interlayer D may represent as illuminative phosphor layer;it may be formed of a zinc sulfide ink in one embodiment. In oneembodiment, interlayer E acts as a color filter for light produced byphosphor layer; in one embodiment, it may be formed using a polymer ink.In one embodiment, interlayer F represents a transparent conductivelayer; in one embodiment, interlayer F may form a common ground forother conductive traces. In one embodiment, the conductive interlayers Cand F are capable of registering capacitive touch on predefined areas ofthe haptic garment 8.

The devices 25 present at the end of generic conductive trace 24 usevarious techniques for sensing touch based gestures. In one embodiment,IC controller 14 reads a capacitive value from each segmented conductivetrace in interlayer C to recognize pre-programmed patterns of values. Inone embodiment, visual display 26 represents screen printedelectroluminescent panels as shown in FIG. 4 , these panels providinginformation to the peripheral vision of the user.

To create the requisite layout of various devices on the haptic garment8, stencils of predefined configurations are made using polyester orusing stainless steel mesh and a photosensitive emulsion. A specificdesign stencil may be developed for each layer of ink. The inks are thenprinted through each specific stencil onto a dielectric substrate or aconductive substrate of a fabric or garment. The inks are layereddepending on the function of each interlayer, i.e., input only, outputonly, or combined input and output. In one embodiment, after the fabricis printed with the various devices, it may be cut into pieces to besewn into the haptic garment. In another embodiment, the garment mayfirst be sewed prior to the formation of interlayers therein.

In various embodiments, the harness 300 or inner layer 300 (see FIGS.5-8 ) facilitates contact with the skin of the user of the hapticgarment to provide the haptic stimulation. The IC controller attaches tothis as well. This garment may contain EL, but primarily is for haptics.An outer layer of the haptic garment electrically and securely connectswith the inner part. The outer layer of the haptic garment, or devicesembedded in the outer layer of the haptic garment, may provide EL visualoutputs and touch/gesture input.

During operations, in one embodiment, external device 16 runs anapplication or set of programmed instructions operating on externaldevice 16 based on the input communicated by IC controller 14. Externaldevice 16 may be a cell phone, a handheld computing device, or a similarother computing device. IC controller 14 processes data or informationreceived from external device 16, and responsive to the received data orinformation, IC controller 14 triggers one or more solid state diodes ortriacs to allow current to flow through their respective gates tointerlayers A, C and F. This in turn results in interlayer Dilluminating; in conductive traces 24 providing actuation voltage todevices 25; in a tactile, audio, or light output on the haptic garment;and/or, in an image being displayed in visual display 26. The triacs mayadvantageously electrically attach to devices 25, and operate to pulsewidth modulate electricity across the conductive traces 24 and todevices 25 to facilitate the various functions to be performed by hapticgarment 8. The circuits and the conductive traces may be insulated atspecific points using a rubber-based ink.

According to one embodiment, the haptic garment 8 includes one or moreinner layers. In one embodiment, this inner layer represents a harnessas illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 . FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagramof a front view of an inner layer 300 of the haptic garment 8 when wornby a user according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a back view of the innerlayer 300 of the haptic garment 8 when worn by a user according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematicstructural diagram of a front view of the inner layer 300 of the hapticgarment 8 when not worn by a user according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of aback view of the inner layer 300 of the haptic garment 8 when not wornby a user according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.Each of FIGS. 5-8 shows conductive traces 24 configured for contactingback of the body of the user of haptic garment 8.

According to one embodiment, the ends of conductive traces 24 connect toa capacitor array incorporated in the haptic garment 8. The capacitorarray advantageously captures the touch pattern (caused, for example, bythe user of the haptic garment) in the form of a series capacitancevalues captured over a period of time and over a space across the hapticgarment. In one embodiment, the touch pattern may be generated by aperson not wearing the haptic garment, the person merely being locatedclose to the haptic garment. The capacitance values are communicated tothe external device 16 via IC controller 14 for recordation as a seriesof capacitance values plotted against time by specific locations on thesurface of haptic garment at which each capacitance value is sensed. Theexternal device 16 may process this series of capacitance values plottedagainst time and location to generate a symbol which corresponds to acertain predefined action to be taken regarding an application operatingon the external device 16. In one embodiment, for example, the action tobe taken represents the playing of a certain audio file stored in theexternal device 16. In another embodiment, for example as shown in FIG.13 , embedded capacitive sensors 62 receive a touch pattern andcommunicate the same to the external device 16.

According to one embodiment, the ends of conductive traces 24 connect toor end in a resistor array incorporated in the haptic garment 8. Theresistor array advantageously captures gesture pattern and/or a movementpattern initiated by the user of the haptic garment in the form of aseries of resistance values captured over a period of time and over aspace across the haptic garment. The resistance values are communicatedto the external device 16 via IC controller 14 for recordation as aseries of resistance values plotted against time as captured by specificlocations on the surface of haptic garment where each resistance valuewas sensed. The external device 16 may process this series of resistancevalues plotted against time and location to generate a symbol whichcorresponds to a certain predetermined action to be taken regarding anapplication operating on the external device 16. In one embodiment, forexample, the action to be taken is the storing of the movement patternin a fitness application operating on the external device 16. In anotherapplication, the action to be taken is the playing of a certain audiofile stored in the external device 16 based on the gesture pattern.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , embedded resistive sensors 64 areceive a movement pattern and communicate the same to the externaldevice 16; FIG. 14 illustrates embedded resistive sensors 64 a in anormal configuration as well as in a bent configuration, the bendingresulting from a movement pattern caused by the user of the hapticgarment 8. In one embodiment, the sensing circuit causes embeddedresistive sensors 64 a to sense a repetitive body motion associated withan exercise routine; in one embodiment, the sensing circuit causesembedded resistive sensors 64 a to sense a training routine or danceperformance; based on this, the IC controller 14 generates for display acount associated with the repetitive body motion, training routine, ordance performance, with the display circuit causing to display the countas the image on the visual display 26.

In a further example, as shown in FIG. 15 , embedded resistive sensors64 b sense a change in resistivity of the skin surface of the user andcommunicate the same to the external device 16; FIG. 15 illustratesembedded resistive sensors 64 b operating to sense changes in skinsensitivity over time and over different skin areas. In a furtherexample, the resistance values captured by the resistive sensors 64 bare associated with a gesture pattern performed by the user of thehaptic garment 8, wherein the gesture does not involve the userphysically touching the haptic garment 8.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram associated with the IC controller 14according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, IC controller 14 iscoupled with a processor, a DC to AC inverter, a power source, awireless module, a triac, a diode, and similar other devices andcomponents. In one embodiment, IC controller 14 connects to a high powerprocessor operating on external device 16 using the wireless module.Based on the information received from external device 16, IC controller14 may activate various components that it is coupled to. The triacs maycontrol the flow of the AC to the printed conductive traces 24. Theconductive traces 24 may be electrically coupled to a capacitive sensingcircuit within the logic board of IC controller 14. Screen printedconductive traces on the inside of haptic garment 8 may provide a lowcurrent stimulation to the user's skin. IC controller 14 may controltriac switches that allows current to flow to the exposed electrodes.

According to several embodiments, the IC controller 14 as disclosedherein multiplexes across a switching cycle comprising three phases asfollows: a sense phase for receiving the motion signal via the sensingcircuit, a display phase for transmitting the image signal via thedisplay circuit, and an actuator phase for transmitting the actuatorsignal via the actuator circuit. According, when in its operation mode,IC controller 14 multiplexes across a switching cycle to perform each ofthe following functions: receiving the motion signal via the sensingcircuit during a sense phase, transmitting the image signal via thedisplay circuit during a display phase, transmitting the actuator signalvia the actuator circuit during an actuator phase.

According to one embodiment, the system converts a motion signalreceived from devices 25 present at the ends of conductive trace 24 bythe IC controller 14 into a specific operating instruction for anapplication executing on the external device 16. The IC controller 14 isable to communicate with an external device both via a wired connectionas well as with a wireless connection. The wireless connection mayinclude a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellphone networktower connection, a satellite connection, and a similar other wirelessconnection technology.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the IC controller 14 is detachably attached to theinner layer 300 of the haptic garment 8. A further power supply 44 (asshown in FIG. 12 ) may also detachably connect to IC controller 14 andto the garment 8 or inner layer 300 of the haptic garment 8.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the system as disclosed herein includes ICcontroller 14 receiving a wireless signal 22 from external device 16 tointerface with conductive traces 24 embedded in the haptic garment 8.

As shown in FIG. 11 , IC controller 14 interfaces with variouscomponents including devices 25, conductive traces 24 and any otherhardware embedded on, within, or attached to haptic garment 8, andfurther to those portions of the inner layers of haptic garment 8 thatform devices 25. The inner layers and the outer layers of haptic garment8 include devices 25, circuitry, conductive traces 24, and otherrequired hardware for performing the above mentioned functions. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 11 , a portion of the inner layers of hapticgarment 8 may include dielectric layers 28, one or more devices such as,for example, visual display 26, through holes 32, fabric substrates 36,conductive traces 24. The devices attached to the inner layers or builtinto the inner layers may be in sensory contact with skin 30 of the userof the garment. The garment 8 may also include through holes 32 to helpimprove the sensory impact on the skin caused by the conductive traces24 as well as devices 25 coupled to ends of conductive traces 24.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram associated with the ICcontroller, according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 , ICcontroller 14 interfaces with various components coupled to, or embeddedwithin, haptic garment 8 via digital inputs/outputs 42. Further as shownin FIG. 12 , power supply 44 supplies power to IC controller 14 as wellas to all other loads on haptic garment 8 including haptic/visual loads52 and all circuits, devices and other hardware requiring power thatoperate on haptic garment 8. In one embodiment a DC to AC inverter 50may be provided for converting the DC power supplied by the power supply44 to AC power for operating any circuits, devices and other hardwarethat require AC power for operations. The circuit may further includeone or more diodes 46 for one-way signal transmission with devices andcircuits operating on haptic garment 8. The circuit may further includeone or more triacs 48 for two way signal transmission to and from thedevices and circuits operating on haptic garment 8.

In one embodiment, in addition to transmitting a first data associatedwith the motion signal to the external device 16, the IC controller 14also receives a second data associated with an image signal. A displaycircuit causes to display an image on a visual display 26 (see FIG. 11 )based on the image signal received from the IC controller 14, the imagesignal being based on the second data. In one embodiment, visual display26 is a printed electro-luminescent (EL) display, coupled to, embeddedon, or integrated within, a portion of the haptic garment surface. Inone embodiment, IC controller is capable of capturing the user'sinteractions (touch-based or gestural) with the EL display andtransmitting the same to external device 16.

In one embodiment, the IC controller 14 further receives a third dataassociated with an actuator signal from external device 16. An actuatorcircuit causes to transmit an actuator output to the portion of thehaptic garment surface that is in sensory contact with a skin surface ofa user of the haptic garment based on the actuator signal received fromthe IC controller, the actuator output comprising one or more of atactile output and an acoustic output. According to one embodiment, theacoustic output from the haptic garment 8 represents an electrodynamicacoustic output and/or an electrostatic acoustic output provided by oneor more devices 25. According to one embodiment, the tactile outputgenerated by device 25 comprises a vibration output, a thermochromicvisual output, an electro-tactile output and/or a heat-tactile output.

According to one or more embodiments, the IC controller is configured tomultiplex across a switching cycle comprising: a sense phase forreceiving the motion signal via the sensing circuit, a display phase fortransmitting the image signal via the display circuit, an actuator phasefor transmitting the actuator signal via the actuator circuit, and ageneric signal processing phase. In one embodiment, one or more of thesensing circuit, display circuit and the actuator circuit may bephysically integrated within the housing that houses the IC controller.By contrast, in one embodiment, one or more of the sensing circuit,display circuit and the actuator circuit may be physically integratedwith the devices 25 that each of these circuits control. In a furtherembodiment, one or more of the sensing circuit, display circuit and theactuator circuit may be physically integrated with the conductive traces24.

In one embodiment, sensory contact is accomplished by physical contactbetween the haptic garment surface and the skin surface of the user ofthe haptic garment. In another embodiment, sensory contact with the skinsurface of the user of the haptic garment is accomplished through one ormore thin flexible layers located between the haptic garment surface andthe skin surface of the user of the haptic garment; in other words,according to some aspects of the present invention, there is no directphysical contact required between the surface of the haptic garment andthe user's skin for sensory contact to be established and maintained.For example, sensory contact is possible even when there is a layer ofclothing or a small layer of air separating the surface of the hapticgarment and the user's skin.

The EL display device 25 such as, for example, visual display 26 inelectronic communication with the IC controller 14 is capable ofdisplaying an alphanumeric text or symbolic text related to a telephonecall and/or a text message received at the external device 16. In oneembodiment, the visual display 26 is divided into a plurality ofseparately illuminable regions, wherein the display circuit isconfigured to cause to illuminate one or more of the separatelyilluminable regions based on the image signal received from the ICcontroller. In a further embodiment, the visual display 26 comprises atouch sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) screen embedded in thehaptic garment, wherein the LCD screen is configured to performoperations such as displaying the image based on the image signalreceived from the IC controller, transmitting the actuator output basedon the actuator signal received from the IC controller, and capturingthe touch pattern to generate the motion signal for transmission to theIC controller. In another embodiment, the visual display 26 comprises alight emitting diode (LED) matrix.

In various embodiments, the external device 16 may be a mobile device ora cell phone or a handheld wireless computing device or a wiredcomputing device or a similar other device. According to one embodiment,the image on the visual display 26 is based on a multimedia file locatedon the external device 16. In one embodiment, a program executing on theexternal device 16, via IC controller 14, may control all aspects of theimages displayed on visual display 26 of the haptic garment 8. Accordingto one embodiment, the image is one or more touch controls configuredfor operating a multimedia file located on the external device; in oneembodiment, this may include controls for opening, playing, pausing,closing, searching of multimedia files operating on the external device16. According to one embodiment, the displayed image is indicative oftraffic condition contiguous to a user of the haptic garment, the imagebased on traffic data received by the external device 16. According toone embodiment, the image is related to a driving direction or a drivingarea map received from the external device 16. According to oneembodiment, the image is based on a camera image or a video imagecaptured by the external device 16.

According to one embodiment, one or more of the sensing circuit, thedisplay circuit and the actuator circuit are imprinted on the hapticgarment using a printing process such as painting, extrusion printing,inkjet printing, screen printing, and lithography printing, for example,in such a manner that the imprinted circuits can withstand severalcycles of washing of haptic garment 8 over the life of the hapticgarment 8. In one embodiment, a 3D printing process may be used.

According to one embodiment, the third data is not received fromexternal device 16; instead, the third data is received from a programstored on an internal memory attached to haptic garment 8 and coupled toIC controller 14. In one embodiment, IC controller may execute one ormore mobile applications stored within the internal memory. The programstored on the internal memory coupled to the IC controller 14 may beassociated with functions such as: providing trigger points of musclestimulation to the user through the haptic garment, therapy for musclerelaxation for the user's muscles through the haptic garment, posturecontrol of the user through the haptic garment, brain stimulation formental health therapy of the user through the haptic garment, cadencefor running/cycling/other sports that the user participates in throughthe haptic garment, breathing exercise control of the user's breathingthrough the haptic garment, fitness tracking of the user's fitnessactivities through the haptic garment, heart rate monitoring of the userthrough the haptic garment, theft prevention techniques such as, forexample, raising an audio or a visual alarm, through the haptic garment,gaming controls and gaming effects through the haptic garment, andsimilar other applications. In further embodiments, the programoperating on the internal memory coupled to the IC controller 14 mayalso be associated with functions such stimulation in movie theaterseats, virtual reality stimulation in various applications, display ofclock, display of time left for a prescheduled event, and similar otherfunctions. Further, in some embodiments, the program operating on theinternal memory coupled to the IC controller 14 may be associated withfunctions such as stimulation of muscles and relieving of pain ascontrolled by a TENS device. TENS devices work by sending electronicstimulating pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nervestrands. The stimulating pulses help prevent pain signals from reachingthe brain. TENS devices also help stimulate the body of the user ofhaptic garment 8 to produce higher levels of its own naturalpainkillers, called “Endorphins”. TENS devices provide pain treatmentusing low voltage electric current to relieve pain. In one embodiment,the TENS device may be housed in a pouch on the haptic garment 8. In oneembodiment, the TENS device may be powered by power supply 44. In oneembodiment, the program stored on the internal memory coupled to the ICcontroller 14 may be associated with asking and/or answering a questionassociated with a smart assistant program.

During operations, IC controller 14 embedded in haptic garment 8receives a first data associated with a motion signal from the sensingcircuit. A sensing circuit causes the transmission of the motion signalsensed by a portion of the haptic garment surface to the IC controller14. The motion signal is based on a touch pattern, a gesture pattern,and/or a movement pattern associated with a user of the haptic garment.IC controller 14 transmits the first data associated with the motionsignal to external device 16 for further processing.

In one embodiment, IC controller 14 also receives a second dataassociated with an image signal from external device 16. A displaycircuit causes to display an image on a visual display 26 attached to aportion of the haptic garment surface based on the image signal receivedfrom IC controller 14. In one embodiment, IC controller 14 itselfgenerates the second data.

In one embodiment, IC controller 14 also receives a third dataassociated with an actuator signal from external device 16. An actuatorcircuit causes to transmit an actuator output to the portion of thehaptic garment surface that is in sensory contact with a skin surface ofa user of the haptic garment. The actuator output is based on theactuator signal received from the IC controller. The actuator output mayinclude a tactile output and/or an acoustic output.

In one embodiment, one or more of the first data, second data and thirddata may be in a form that is not visible to humans such as radio,microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma ray, and similar othertransfer mediums. In one embodiment, the devices 25 integrated withinhaptic garment are capable of providing variable intensity of haptic oractuator output based on variable voltage, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)and AC signal frequency control, and similar other techniques.

In one embodiment, either IC controller 14 or external device 16converts the motion signal received by IC controller 14 into a specificoperating instruction for an application executing on external device16.

In one embodiment, the sensing circuit embedded in the haptic garment 8causes the sensing of a repetitive body motion associated with anexercise routine. The IC controller 14 then generates for display acount associated with the repetitive body motion, the display circuitcausing the displaying of the count as the image on the printed ELdisplay. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the hapticgarment 8 being used to train people on accomplishing various new taskssuch as, for example, conditioning for scientific purposes,instructional purposes and/or being used for novelty purposes. In afurther embodiment, the method further comprises the haptic garment 8being used for displaying answers to questions that the user of thehaptic garment 8 poses to a smart assistant.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theDetailed Description. While the above description describes certainembodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated,no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can bepracticed in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably inits implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subjectmatter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology usedwhen describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should notbe taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to berestricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of thedisclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, theterms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit thedisclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification,unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses notonly the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways ofpracticing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a haptic garment; anintegrated circuit (IC) controller coupled to the haptic garment; asensing circuit coupled to the haptic garment, the sensing circuitconfigured to cause transmission of a touch signal sensed by a portionof an external surface of the haptic garment to the IC controller, thetouch signal associated with a touch pattern on the haptic garmentexternal surface, the IC controller configured to transmit a first dataassociated with the touch signal to an external device, wherein thefirst data is a control signal for controlling the external device, thecontrol signal being responsive to the touch signal; an actuator circuitconfigured to cause to transmit an actuator output to the portion of aninternal surface of the haptic garment, the actuator output based on anactuator signal received from the IC controller, wherein the actuatorsignal is responsive to commands from the external device and whereinthe internal surface is not the external surface; and conductive tracesembedded within the haptic garment that electrically couple with thesensing circuit and the actuator circuit.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising: the IC controller further configured to receive asecond data associated with an image signal from the external device;and a display circuit configured to cause to display an image on adisplay coupled to the portion of the haptic garment surface based onthe image signal received from the IC controller, wherein the conductivetraces further electrically couple with the display circuit.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, further comprising: wherein the actuator outputcomprises one or more of a tactile output and an acoustic output.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the IC controller is configured to multiplexacross a switching cycle comprising: a sense phase for receiving thetouch signal via the sensing circuit, a display phase for transmittingthe image signal via the display circuit, and an actuator phase fortransmitting the actuator signal via the actuator circuit.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the conductive traces are configured to capture thetouch pattern associated with the user of the haptic garment to generatethe touch signal for transmission to the IC controller.
 6. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the image is alphanumeric text related to one or moreof a telephone call and a text message received at the external device.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator signal is associated witha program operating on an internal memory coupled to the IC controller.8. The system of claim 5, wherein the conductive traces comprise acapacitor array incorporated therein for capturing the touch pattern ina form of one or more capacitance values.
 9. A method of displayinganswers to questions posed to an external device, the method comprising:providing an external device; providing a haptic garment coupled to anintegrated circuit (IC) controller in communication with the externaldevice, wherein the haptic garment is further coupled with a sensingcircuit and a display circuit; sensing a touch pattern on an externalsurface of the haptic garment with the sensing circuit; transmitting atouch signal associated with the touch pattern from the sensing circuitto the IC controller; transmitting a first data associated with thetouch signal to the external device; generating further data with theexternal device, wherein the further data is responsive to a questionidentified by or collected in response to the first data; receiving, bythe IC controller, of the further data from the external device;transmitting, by the IC controller, an image signal to the displaycircuit, wherein the image signal is associated with the further data;displaying an image associated with the further data on a display of thedisplay circuit, wherein the display circuit and sensing circuit areelectrically coupled to conductive traces embedded in the hapticgarment.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the external device furtherincludes a program which collects information associated with thequestion in response to the first data.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the information collected comprises instructions from a userreceived by the external device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theinstructions are vocally communicated by the user.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the first data includes information identifying thequestion.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the question comprises oneof a plurality predefined on the external device.
 15. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the further data includes the image signal associatedwith the image to be displayed.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein theimage signal is generated by the IC controller to incorporateinformation from the further data and the image displayed in response tothe image signal includes the incorporated information.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the image signal is generated by a program storedin internal memory coupled to the IC controller.